The non-aesthetic
qualities of craftsmanship are just as
important to quality as what you see
on the outside. Many
folks miss the beauty inside a fine handmade guitar.
The care taken when an instrument is assembled not only
reflects the dedication of the builder, but it impacts the
integrity and
tone of the instrument.
Above: Spine label for Brazilian Rosewood/European
Spruce Madrigal Grand Auditorium.

The finish has been applied to
this Brazilian Rosewood Ave Maria Grand Auditorium.
The next step is to fine sand the finish and buff it to a beautiful
luster. The complete
finishing process, which includes initial filling of the pores, spraying,
curing,
sanding, and buffing takes about a month to accomplish.

---------Shop
Visits

My
shop is always open, by appointment, to persons who are seriously
interested in purchasing a custom instrument.
It's a lot of fun to discuss needs and pick out woods!

--

Have ever
asked yourself what a true "custom guitar" is?

Well, a
true custom guitar has "tailor made" features that are required
or preferred by the
client. As a lifetime guitar player who has worked and played with some of
the finest professional
and amateur players, I can empathize with your special needs, and having
build instrument since 1993, I can
design guitars to need those needs. Please note that my instruments
are not "cookie-cut"
with CNC machines, and merely assembled, but rather, they are made with a
pain-staking,
hands and heart labor of love!

Click
on photos to enlarge.

Hand
beveling the edge
of headstock.

Left/Right:
Adirondack Spruce
Top Bracing

Tree
of Life by Tom Ellis

Left:
Body mold.

Right: Side bending
machine.

Brazilian
Rosewood, Ziricote in foreground.

Left:
African Blackwood rosette

Right: Brazilian Rosewood
back and rim.

Gluing Side Support Staves

Left:
Planing purfling flush with surface of top.

Right: By always using
the full size plan to mark
the placement of bracing we ensure accuracy
and
consistency of tone.

Frets
are pressed in with an arbor press.
This provides a perfectly radiused
fret
installation.

Left:
Final inspection before top is glued into place.

Right: Drill press and
jig ensures
accuracy of holes for side
dot appointments.